New UAE draft law calls for ban on exotic animal ownership

Failure to keep pets under control can also result in fines up to Dhs 500,000 for owners

UAE introduces VAT threshold for firms in phase 1

The first phase covers companies with annual revenues exceeding Dhs 3.75m

Saudi cabinet approves regulations for ‘white land’ tax

Proposals aimed at reducing housing shortage in urban areas

Dubai Parks and Resorts mulls company name change

The theme operator said it is awaiting shareholder approval to change its name to dXb Entertainments

Qatar National Bank acquires Turkey’s Finansbank

The Qatari lender is now the largest bank in the Middle East and Africa by assets

UAE says war has ended for Emirati troops in Yemen

The country said it will continue to help ‘rebuild Yemen’

Saudi prince to meet Obama as he promotes his reform plan in the US

Mohammed bin Salman’s visit is also aimed at restoring frayed ties with Washington

Bahrain’s Bapco seeks bids for oil refinery expansion

The expansion is expected to cost about $5bn

Profit at Abu Dhabi's Mubadala climbs 12.4%

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala appoints new CEO for energy portfolio

Ahmed Saeed al-Calily will oversee Mubadala’s energy portfolio, which includes Mubadala Petroleum and Masdar

Aldar says phase one of Yas Acres sold out for Dhs 1bn

Second phase of the Dhs 6bn project to go on sale on June 18

Kuwaiti fast-food group Americana revives sale talks

Americana owns the Middle East franchises for fast food chains KFC and Pizza Hut

Mandatory midday break begins in the UAE

Non compliance with the summer break rule could result in a fine of up to Dhs 50,000

Saudi retailer Alhokair approves sale of Spain’s Blanco

Alhokair’s board approved the sale of the firm’s investment in Blanco for $93m

Abu Dhabi to levy Dhs 35 airport fee

The fee will be imposed on passengers from July

Qatar and Italy to sign $5.6bn deal for Fincantieri ships

The order covers four corvette warships and a support vessel

Bahrain court suspends main opposition group

The court has set a hearing in October to look into dissolving the al-Wefaq Islamic society

Emirates to deploy A380 on Moscow route

The Dubai airline will upgrade one of its two daily flights to Moscow from December 1

Dubai’s ENOC gets $230m loan from China’s ICBC

The five-year loan will help ENOC fund new projects and expansion plans

Revealed: Best private schools in Dubai

The ranking is based on KHDA’s annual review of schools in the emirate

UAE salaries to rise 4.6% in 2017, down from 4.9% in 2016

New report says employees in Saudi, Qatar and Kuwait can expect higher wage hikes next year

Etihad Flight College adds new trainer aircraft to fleet

Etihad Flight College will be the world’s first flight school to use the Phenom 100E in the initial phase of training

Two killed in UAE helicopter crash during Yemen mission

The pilot and co-pilot were among the UAE forces taking part in the Saudi-led operations in Yemen

UAE online platform TV.ae to help boost Arabic talent

Marwan Saab, chief creative officer of the newly launched platform TV.ae, is hoping to bring to bring a new generation of Arabic talent to the regional and international stage

Saudi cabinet approves land tax, foreign investment rules

Foreign investors will be able to own 100 per cent of retail and wholesale businesses

Dubai’s Nakheel awards Dhs 4m contract for Deira Islands

The contract is for work on a sewage treatment plant at the Deira Islands development

Emirates stowaway teenager sent back to China without charge

The boy allegedly made the journey after hearing that beggars can make a lot of money in Dubai

Dubai airport passenger traffic climbs 7.2% in April

Double-digit growth in traffic to and from Eastern Europe and Asia led to the rise

Dubai-based pay TV network OSN appoints new CEO

Martin Stewart replaces David Butorac, who served as OSN’s CEO from 2010.

First Avani hotel in the Middle East to open in Dubai in July

Minor Hotels brand taking over the management of Movenpick Deira

Qatar convicts Dutch woman arrested for reporting rape

The woman was given a one-year suspended sentence and will be deported